What The Homeowner Guide is
The Homeowner Guide is an independent publication of practical, educational guides for people who have recently bought a home in the United States, or are about to. Buying a home comes with a closing table full of paperwork, and then a steady stream of bills, notices and decisions nobody explained in advance: a property tax assessment that seems too high, an insurance renewal with a new deductible, an HOA letter about a fee increase, a water heater that is starting to leak.
We write the guides we wish every new homeowner had been handed on day one. Each one aims to answer a real question clearly, show where the answer comes from, and point you to the official source or the right professional when your situation needs more than a general explanation.
What we cover
Our guides focus on the recurring, practical side of owning a home:
- Property tax and appeals: how assessments work, what exemptions may exist where you live, and how the appeal process generally runs.
- Homeowners insurance: what common policy types cover and exclude, how deductibles work, flood and wind coverage, and how to prepare for a claim.
- Maintenance and repairs: what to check, how often, and when a job belongs to a licensed professional rather than a weekend DIY attempt.
- HOA rules and fees: reading governing documents, understanding assessments and reserves, and handling disputes.
- Home warranties: what service contracts typically include and leave out, and the questions to ask before you buy one.
- Budgeting for upkeep: planning for repairs, replacements and the costs that arrive once a year.
- Seasonal checklists: what to do before winter, before storm season and after a long vacancy.
Rules for taxes, insurance and HOAs differ by state and often by county. Where that matters, we say so, rather than presenting one state’s rules as if they applied everywhere.
Who is behind the site
Articles are published under the byline “The Homeowner Guide Editorial Team.” We do not currently have named individual writers. We would rather tell you that plainly than invent biographies. When named writers or licensed reviewers (for example an insurance professional, tax preparer or contractor) join, their names and verifiable credentials will be shown on their author pages and on the articles they review.
How we work
Every guide starts from a question real homeowners ask. We then go to primary sources first: federal agencies such as the IRS, FEMA, CFPB, FTC, HUD, CPSC and the US Fire Administration; state revenue and insurance departments; county assessor websites; the NAIC; and standards bodies such as NFPA and ICC. Factual claims are cited with a link and the date we accessed the source, and numbers are checked against the source on the day of publishing.
AI tools may help with drafting and translation. They do not replace the research or the review: every article is fact-checked against its sources and reviewed by the editorial team before it goes live. Each article shows its published, last updated and reviewed dates, and we review articles at least once a year, and sooner when a law or program changes.
You can read the full details in our editorial policy and research methodology.
How the site is funded
The Homeowner Guide currently has no advertising and no affiliate links. Nobody pays to be mentioned in our guides. If that changes, any affiliate or partner links or ads will be clearly labelled, and they will never change our editorial conclusions. We will update our advertising disclosure before any such link appears.
What we are not
We are not a law firm, tax preparer, insurance agency, lender or contractor, and nothing on this site is personal advice. Our guides explain how things generally work so you can ask better questions and make informed decisions. Read our disclaimer for details.
Get in touch
Questions, suggestions for topics, or a mistake you have spotted? Email [email protected] or use the contact form. We aim to reply within 3 business days. If you have found an error in an article, our corrections page explains how we handle it. You can also subscribe to the newsletter to hear when new guides are published.
Frequently asked questions
Who writes The Homeowner Guide?
Articles are written and reviewed by The Homeowner Guide Editorial Team. We do not have named writers yet. When named writers or licensed reviewers join, their names and credentials will appear on their author pages.
Is The Homeowner Guide free?
Yes. Every guide is free to read. The site currently has no advertising and no affiliate links.
Do you give personal tax, insurance or legal advice?
No. Our content is educational only. For decisions about your own home, talk to your county assessor, insurer or agent, a tax professional, an attorney or a licensed contractor.
Do you use AI to write articles?
AI tools may help with drafting and translation. Every article is fact-checked against its sources and reviewed by the editorial team before it is published.
What languages is the site available in?
The Homeowner Guide is published in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese.
How do I contact the team?
Email [email protected] or use the contact form. We aim to reply within 3 business days.
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